Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Mercury Tracer
Mercury Tracer Models:
Mercury Tracer Problems
Cylinder head replaced due to crack between valves
A cylinder head replacement could be needed if the vehicle overheats and causes the cylinder head to crack between the valves.
Rough Running Engine and/or Noise
Valve seats (components in the cylinder head that help seal the valve) can fall out. When this happens, it causes rough running and creates noise. Replacement of the cylinder head is commonly required to fix this problem.
Oil Leak From Distributor Shaft Seal
An external Engine oil leak may develop from the distributor O-ring seal. A new O-ring seal will be needed to correct this leak.
Power Steering Pump/Gearbox Problems Due to Fluid Contamination
Failure to change the power steering fluid can cause the fluid to become gray with metal particles. The contaminated fluid can damage the power steering pump resulting in a growling noise when the wheel is turned; the damaged pump will require replacement to eliminate the noise.. Life of the power steering gearbox and pump will be shortened if the fluid is not serviced regularly.
Car won't start due to oil contamination in distributor
The distributor may become internally contaminated with engine oil because of an internal seal failure. This causes ignition failure because the distributor cap has filled with oil. If this happens, the car will not start.
Mercury Tracer Recalls (Recent)
Mercury Tracer Recall 94V218000
Summary: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Learn more »Ford Escort Recall 02V323000
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND COULD EXPERIENCE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Learn more »Ford Escort Recall 97V144000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO OR WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NEVADA, FLORIDA, HAWAII, TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA, GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Learn more »Ford Escort Recall 97V145000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.9L ENGINES, BUILT AT THE HERMOSILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ARIZONA. CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THE CRACKS GO THROUGH THE FUEL TANK WALL.
Learn more »Mercury Tracer Recall 94E019000
Summary: THE OFFSET TOE ADJUSTING PIN CAN FRACTURE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TORSIONAL LOADS, FLEXING MOTION, IMPACT LOADS, AND OVERTORQUING.
Learn more »Mercury Tracer Questions and Answers
i have a 1989 merc tracer.at idel the engine speed goes up and down when the engine is at operating temp.it also stumbles on acceleration as though it is not getting fuel.this car has only 46000 mi...
what is an inertia switch
when driving my 91 tracer wagon it has alot of play in the steering car goes from one side of road to the other how can i fix it
My car has a pre-ignition ping-knock @ initial start-up and also @ a low idle in gear and also w/air-conditioner on @ idle.
OK for starters..my vehicle is a 1989 Mercury Tracer St. Wagon,w/5-speed manual,1.6cu.in. 4cyl. It's not listed on the questionaire ( year of vechile) so I fibbed about the year.
"NOW" my ve...
Mercury Tracer Stories
Bought our 95 Tracer in Dec 96. Only has 386K and still gets 28 to 33mpg depending on traffic. Dosen't use oil. Normal wear and tear includes rebuild tranny, replace htr core and radiator. One CV joint. Replace speedometer cable and repair spedometer head. Still drives great and tracks super in snow. Must have been a Wednesday car. And, Yes, is a flatland car.
i got this car in april 2005 to replace the 1996 hyundai accent that died. the car has 150k (i put 80k on it) and has been a pain since. i've literally replaced nearly half of all the parts under the hood and it still won't run well. the seat belt got stuck on the track half way and now i can't wear the shoulder part w/out being choked. every now and then the spedometer goes up and down like its possessed. there's smoke coming from under the hood right by the driver headlight and none of the 5 local mechanics can figure it out, causing me to become ill if i'm stuck in the car for more than 15 minutes. i hate this car with every fibre of my being. if it was't winter and i could ride my bike w/out fear of being run over, then i'd scrap this car asap. i hate you car.
I LOVE my Tracer! Bought in 11/2000 with about 45K miles. Currently has 209K miles (as of 7/2011) & still runs very well! Have had to do very little non-routine maintenance. I get average of 32-33 mpg; >90% of my driving is on the highway. I will be VERY sad when I have to get another car; I plan to drive this one until the end. I've never really had to drive the car in the snow, so I can't respond to other people's comments on that.
Fun little car mine is actually good in snow up in NY only drawback would be brakes and stiff seats. Happily recommend this car tho gettin 25/34 mpg to and from work. Cruising along at 127k miles will drive it till i dies.
This was my first vehicle, i purchased it with about 30,000 miles on it back in 2000. I have to say this vehicle was by far the most reliable, great gas mileage and very minor problems for these past 10 years!! I let a friend borrow it for a couple of months and he totaled it!! I regret it everyday since the incident happened. 2 thumbs way up!! for the 97 Mercury Tracer.